In the music industry, there are very few artists who surpass superstar
status to become true American icons. Hank Williams Jr. is a founding
member of that elite club. Throughout his career, he’s helped shape
our country’s cultural landscape with his unbridled creativity, gut
honesty and unwavering personal convictions. His music not only reflects
his own life, but the common experiences that unite us.
Hank Jr. has long been the voice of the common man, serving up observations
on life and society that have made his fans listen intently and respond
with a rousing “Hell Yeah!” as he puts words and music to their thoughts,
hopes and everyday life. He does that again on his latest album, THAT'S
HOW THEY DO IT IN DIXIE - THE ESSENTIAL COLLECTION, with the song,
“Stirring It Up.” In his inimitable brash style he takes tabloid talk
show hosts to task for their emotional muckraking and challenges anyone
“who ain’t sure about me to take it up with Gretchen, Tim, the Rock
and Sean Hannity.” The title song features the talents of some of
today's biggest "rowdy friends," Big & Rich, Gretchen Wilson and
Van Zant.
His music has long been a barometer
reflecting both our nation’s challenges and the resilience of the
human spirit in such anthems as “A Country Boy Can Survive.” Bocephus
standards such as "Family Tradition," "Whiskey Bent and Hellbound,"
All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight" and "Born To Boogie"
are all included on this CD for the quintessential country fan.
"Are You Ready For Some Football?" has become the mantra of a whole
new legion of fans Hank, Jr. has managed to capture every week as
he looks into the cameras before ABC’s Monday Night Football and roars
out the words that create the excitement of America's favorite sport.
Those words also earned Williams the distinction of being the first
country artist to ever to win an Emmy, a feat he repeated 1990 through
1993.
Randall Hank was born May 26,
1949, one month before his legendary father made his landmark first
appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. His father nicknamed him “Bocephus”
after the ventriloquist dummy used by country comedian Rod Brasfield.
He was only three when his father died in 1952. Eight years later
his mother was coaxing him on stage to sing his daddy’s songs, urging
him to continue the legacy.
He made his debut
on the Opry at 11 and by the time he was 14 was in the studio recording
his debut album. His rendition of “Long Gone Lonesome Blues” became
a hit and all eyes were on the artist, constantly looking for shades
of his father’s genius. It was a complex emotional vortex in which
the young man was forced to develop, but he did so head on and on
his own terms. Who can forget the mournful honesty in that young voice
when he crooned "It’s hard standing in the shadow of a very famous
man?” That song displayed the honesty, integrity and strength mixed
with vulnerability that would become cornerstones of Williams’ artistry.
What followed in the years since has been a whirlwind ride during
which the younger Williams successfully emerged from his famous father’s
shadow, forging a career of his own. He managed to create music that
resonated with the same gut-wrenching emotion that marked his father’s
best work, yet beyond that he left little room for comparison as he
blazed a trail with such classic hits as “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound,”
“All My Rowdy Friends,” “Old Habits” and “Born to Boogie.”
Those familiar with Hank Jr.’s legend know it hasn’t been an easy
road. Every life and career has its peaks and valleys, but Williams
has had more than his share. When he sings “A Country Boy Can Survive,”
there’s an authority in his voice, because he’s done just that. He
literally fell from a mountain top, yet lived to tell the tale. He’s
battled his own demons and now on the other side of 50, it’s obvious
he has been the victor.
He faces life
head on and even when it hurts, he keeps up the fight. In 2005, he
lost his best friend, Merle Kilgore, who had been a second father
to him. During a recent show at the Country Music Hall of Fame during
the annual Country Radio Seminar, Williams mesmerized the industry
crowd with his legendary hits, witty stage banter, and unparalled
stage presence. Alone with his guitar, then later moving over to the
piano to share some reminiscences as well as his boogie moves, Williams
defined star power for the bounty of artists in the audience who had
cut their teeth on his music and legend. Rhett Akins, Tracy Byrd,
Mark Wills, Kix Brooks, and Collin Raye were among those there to
pay homage to Bocephus.
He served up a potent
arsenal of hit songs and in a moment that will likely become Music
Row folklore, he offered up some personal observations on life. He
spoke of losing his friend Merle and talked about the healing powers
of time. Somehow one got the impression that enough time, a good shot
of whiskey and a little bit of faith could just about cure anything.
Hank’s been there. He knows, and he’s taking us, all his rowdy friends,
along for the ride.
